Ill. emergency rooms see spike in flu patients

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Associated Press

Story Created: Sun Jan 6, 2013 3:27 PM

Story Updated: Sun Jan 6, 2013 3:27 PM

NAPERVILLE, Ill.— Emergency rooms are seeing a spike in patients as Illinois experiences one of the biggest flu outbreaks in the nation.
   
The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports (http://bit.ly/Vs2NOv ) the typical flu season peaks in mid- to late-January and carries into late March. But health officials say major cases began appearing as early as Thanksgiving.
   
Mary Anderson is the infection control manager at Edward Hospital. She says the hospital normally sees an average of 200 cases per season. But as of last week the hospital already has seen more than 260 confirmed cases.
   
Officials say getting a flu shot could be the easiest way to avoid the emergency room. They also recommend washing hands regularly for at least 15 seconds and keeping a distance from others.